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Statement by
New York, 31 October 2002 Mr. Chairman, Indonesia attaches the utmost importance to the role played by international human rights instruments in protecting human rights throughout the world. That’s why in the transition to democracy, one of the first priorities was to strengthen the protection of its citizens’ fundamental human rights. Towards this end, the National Plan of Action on Human Rights for 1998-2003 was adopted. The National Plan of Action established a timetable for the achievement of concrete goals in four areas, the ratification of international human rights instruments, education on human rights issues, implementation in priority areas concerning human rights, and the domestic implementation of international human rights instruments. A second five year plan of action for the years 2003-2008 is being drafted right now, and will build on the success of the first plan. Also, at the present, the Government of Indonesia is preparing to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The first step in this process, the formal approval of the two covenants by the President, has already been done. The next step is approval by Parliament, and that process will take place soon. Since adopting the National Plan of Action in 1998, Indonesia has become party to a number of the major international human rights instruments, and it is now harmonising existing legislation with international conventions, or where necessary passing new legislation. Also, all new legislation is reviewed to ensure it is in compliance with international human rights instruments to which Indonesia is a party. The Human Rights Law 39/1999, and Law 26/2000 have now layed the groundwork for the protection of human rights in Indonesia, and reflect the commitment of the Government to protecting the rights of its people. In just a short time Indonesia has made a great deal of progress, in its attempt to establish institutions, which in other countries evolved over decades, or even centuries. For example, the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights, Komnas HAM, which is independent of the Government, was given the right, by the Human Rights Law 39/1999, to subpoena witnesses and physical evidence to further its investigations into human rights abuses. Thus this independent agency has substantial power to compel testimony when investigating human rights issues, even from government officials. Also, among the many provisions of Law 26/2000, was the establishment of Human Rights Courts to try human rights cases and punish offenders. Indonesia has made a great deal of progress, and it realizes that it must go further, but the priorities in the evolution of democracy, including human rights initiatives, must be determined by each country in accordance with national priorities, culture, custom, and resources. Emerging democracies require the support of the established democracies, moral, technical and financial, but the face of democracy must be shaped in the national image. The Government of Indonesia is trying to build a safer, securer future for its citizens, but as demonstrated by the horrific terrorist attack in Bali on October 12th, an attack that deliberately targeted innocent civilians, there are forces at work that want nothing but to undermine the safe and secure future that Indonesia is trying to build for its citizens. The Government of Indonesia is attempting to solve conflicts within Indonesia peacefully and democratically, just as the Government of Indonesia strives to conduct its external relations peacefully through dialogue. Indonesia ardently desires to join with the international community in fighting terrorism. In light of recent events, and the events of a year ago, the international community should now realise, that the true threat to human rights and human life is posed by the terrorists, who eschew any peaceful means to their ends. In conclusion Mr. Chairman, let me reaffirm Indonesia’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. However, Indonesia is concerned about certain inadequacies in the reporting and reviewing mechanisms of the several international human rights instruments. In particular, the lack of coordination in reporting procedures among the various monitoring bodies. Lack of standardisation imposes excessive burdens on reporting countries and we would like to see this problem redressed by the proper authorities, in order to reduce the burdens on reporting countries. Thank you Mr. Chairman.
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